Biogen Idec, Alnylam to Team on PML Drug

U.S. firms Biogen Idec and Alnylam said Wednesday they have signed a deal on a drug for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

The condition is marked by an infection of the central nervous system caused by the JC virus, the companies said.

The deal provides for Alnylam and Biogen Idec to collaborate on research into PML therapies using RNAi technology.

Under the terms of the agreement, Biogen Idec will fund all research and development and Alnylam will receive an upfront payment of $5 million, with any resulting products triggering additional payments to Alnylam of more than $51 million.

This innovative collaboration to explore using RNAi technology to develop therapeutics for the treatment of PML will build on our work to understand and manage this disease, said Al Sandrock, Biogen Idec’s senior vice president of neurology. We are pleased to partner with Alnylam, a company that has demonstrated leading capabilities in the discovery and development of RNAi therapeutics, in this important undertaking.